JP5349278B2 - Golf club head and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a golf club head and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly to a golf club head suitable as an iron type golf club head and a manufacturing method thereof.

  In the iron type golf club head, a groove called a score line is provided on the face surface. Further, a plating layer is often formed at least on the face surface in order to increase the hardness of the face surface or improve corrosion resistance and aesthetics.

  Conventionally, when an iron type golf club head with a plating layer is manufactured, a score line is formed by groove processing on at least the face surface of the head base before forming the score line, and then plating is performed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-277185). 0007 paragraph).

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-23178 discloses a golf club head in which cutting marks are formed by milling the face surface (milling, cutting with a milling machine).

JP 10-277185 A JP2008-23178

  As described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-277185, when a score line is formed on the face surface of the head base by forming a groove and then plating is performed, the accuracy of the edge at which the groove side surface of the score line intersects the face surface is lowered. In other words, when the score line is formed by grooving the face surface of the head matrix, the edge of the score line where the groove side surface and the face surface intersect has an ideal edge shape. When the plating layer is formed, the plating layer also has a thickness, so that the edge accuracy is lowered.

  The present invention solves such problems and has a plating layer formed on the face surface for the purpose of improving durability and the like, and a golf club having a high precision at the edge where the groove side surface of the score line and the face surface intersect. An object is to provide a club head and a manufacturing method thereof.

  In the golf club head of the present invention (Claim 1), in the golf club head having a score line on the face surface, the first plating layer is formed on at least the face surface of the head base body before the score line is formed on the face surface. Then, a groove line is formed to form a score line, and then a second plating layer is formed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the golf club head according to the first aspect is characterized in that the second plating layer has a hardness lower than that of the first plating layer.

  A golf club head according to a third aspect of the present invention is the golf club head according to the first or second aspect, wherein the thickness of the second plating layer is smaller than the thickness of the first plating layer.

  A golf club head according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the golf club head according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the face surface of the head base body before the formation of the first plating layer is chamfered.

  The golf club head according to claim 5 is the golf club head according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first plating layer is a chromium plating layer and the second plating layer is a copper plating layer. It is.

  The method of manufacturing a golf club head according to the present invention (Claim 6) is the method of manufacturing a golf club head in which a score line is provided on the face surface, and at least the face surface of the head matrix before the score line is formed on the face surface. Forming a first plating layer, a groove processing step of forming a score line on the face surface on which the first plating layer is formed, and then a step of forming a second plating layer. Is.

  In the golf club head provided by the present invention, a first plating layer is formed on the face surface of the head base, then a groove is formed to form a score line, and then a second plating layer is formed. In this case, the thickness of the plating layer formed after the formation of the score line is smaller than when both the first plating layer and the second plating layer are formed after the formation of the score line. Thereby, after the edge of the score line is accurately formed by grooving, the degree to which the second plating layer is covered and the shape of the edge is changed is suppressed, and the accuracy of the edge of the score line becomes high.

  Further, when the second plating layer formed after the formation of the score line has a lower hardness than that of the first plating layer, the hit feeling becomes soft. Note that a reduction in the backspin amount can be suppressed by reducing the thickness of the second plating layer. However, the first and second plating layers may be different in at least one of thickness and hardness, and may be the same in thickness and hardness.

  In the present invention, when the face surface of the head base is chamfered before forming the first plating layer, the surface accuracy of the face surface is increased.

1 is a front view of an iron type golf club head according to an embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the face surface which shows the formation method of a score line.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head 1, and a large number of score lines 3 are formed on a face surface 2. A golf club is configured by inserting a shaft into a hosel portion 4 provided in the golf club head 1 and fixing it with an adhesive.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the golf club head 1 has a first plating layer 6 formed on at least the face surface 2 of a head base 5 made of a metal material such as iron-based material, aluminum, titanium, etc., and then grooved to score. It is manufactured by forming the line 3 and then forming the second plating layer 7 having a lower hardness than the first plating layer 6.

  Preferably, the groove width on the entrance side of the score line 3 is 0.6 to 0.9 mm, and the depth is 0.2 to 0.5 mm. In this embodiment, the score line 3 has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, and the angle θ between the face surface and the groove side surface is about 45 to 80 °, but is a right angle groove with θ = 90 °. Also good. The score line 3 may have a substantially U-shaped or substantially semi-elliptical cross-sectional shape.

  The first plating layer 6 is preferably composed of one layer or two or more layers such as chrome plating, nickel plating, hard chrome plating, and the thickness (total thickness in the case of a plurality of layers) is 5 About 60 to 60 μm, particularly about 15 to 50 μm is preferable. The hardness Hv of the first plating layer 6 is preferably about 500 to 1200, particularly about 800 to 1000.

  The second plating layer 7 is preferably composed of one layer or two or more layers such as copper plating, alumite plating, zinc plating, etc., and the thickness (total thickness in the case of a plurality of layers) is 5 to 60 μm. Especially about 15-50 micrometers is suitable. The hardness Hv of the second plating layer 7 is preferably about 100 to 450, particularly about 200 to 300. The thickness of the second plating layer 7 is preferably 90% or less of the thickness of the first plating layer 6, for example, about 20 to 80%.

  The first plating layer 6 and the second plating layer 7 may be formed by either electroless plating or electrolytic plating. However, since a plating layer having a uniform thickness can be easily formed as compared with electrolytic plating, Plating is preferred. As electroless plating, nickel phosphorus plating, nickel plating, SIC composite plating, and the like are suitable.

  The golf club head 1 is preferably manufactured by the following method.

  First, the head base body 5 is manufactured by casting or forging. The head base 5 has substantially the same shape and size as the golf club head 1 except that the score line 3 is not yet formed.

  Next, preferably, the face surface of the head base 5 is chamfered and finished to a specified flatness. In order to perform this chamfering process, it is preferable to fix the head base 5 and cut the face surface with a cutting machine.

  Next, at least the face surface 2 of the head matrix 5 is plated to form a first plating layer 6. The first plating layer 6 may be provided only on the face surface 2, and may be provided on other portions. For example, the first plating layer 6 may be provided on the entire head matrix.

  Next, the score line 3 is formed by grooving the face surface 2. The shape of the cutting tool (end mill) for grooving is not particularly limited, and for example, it may be tapered with the same angle as the angle θ of the side surface of the score line 3 in FIG. Further, the shape of the lower half side of the cutting tool is tapered with the same angle θ as the angle θ, and the upper half side has a larger gradient than the lower half side (that is, the side surface of the upper half side and the face surface 2 It is also possible to use a taper shape in which the angle formed is smaller than the angle θ, and to smoothly connect the boundary portion between the lower half side and the upper half side. By using this cutting tool and performing groove processing so that the boundary portion is flush with the surface of the first plating layer 6, an edge where the groove side surface of the score line 3 intersects the face surface 2 (hereinafter, score) E may be a shape that follows the boundary of the cutting tool. If necessary, the edge E may be deburred after the score line is formed.

  Next, the second plating layer 7 is formed. The second plating layer 7 may be provided only on the face surface 2 or may be provided on other portions. For example, the second plating layer 7 may be provided on the entire head base 5. Thereafter, the face surface 2 is subjected to a blasting process as necessary to make it matt. The blasting process is preferably performed only on the score line formation region S shown in FIG. 1 and visually suggests the ball hit surface to the player, but may be performed on the entire face surface 2 or on the entire head. Also good. This blasting process can also be expected to increase the friction coefficient of the face surface. The blast treatment is preferably performed lightly on the second plating layer 7 so as not to expose the first plating layer 6. In the case of blasting, it is preferable that the thickness of the second plating layer 7 after the blasting is within the above-mentioned preferable range. Examples of the blasting process include sand blasting and shot blasting.

  Although the golf club head 1 is manufactured through the above steps, the blasting process may be omitted. Further, in addition to the above steps, a step of milling the head base 5 may be added.

  In this milling process, for example, the face surface is cut shallowly by a milling machine to form many fine grooves (grooves). When milling is performed, the coefficient of friction of the face surface increases and backspin is likely to occur. As for the pitch between the lines of the cutting trace by milling, about 0.1-1 mm is preferable. Even when milling is performed, the thicknesses of the first plating layer 6 and the second plating layer 7 formed thereon are preferably as described above. When the milling height is 25 μm, which is the upper limit of the golf rules, the total thickness of the plating layers 6 and 7 is preferably 10 to 120 μm. Milling may be formed by laser.

  Instead of milling the head matrix 5 as described above, the first plating layer 6 and the second plating layer 7 may be formed on the head matrix 5 and then milled. In this case, it is preferable to perform milling so as not to reach the head base 5. This prevents the head base body 5 from being exposed and rusting. The milling process may be performed so as to reach the first plating layer 6, or the milling process may be performed so as not to reach the first plating layer 6. According to the golf rules, the height of milling (the depth of the striations) is prescribed to be 25 μm or less, so that the total thickness of the plating layers 6 and 7 is preferably 25 μm or more, particularly 28 μm or more.

  Alternatively, milling may be performed after the first plating layer 6 is formed on the head base body 5 and before the second plating layer 7 is formed.

  In the golf club head 1 according to this embodiment, after forming the first plating layer 6 on the face surface 2 of the head base body 5, the score line 3 is formed by grooving, and then the second plating layer 7 with low hardness is formed. Is formed thinly. In this case, the thickness of the plating layer formed after the formation of the score line 3 is smaller than when both the first plating layer 6 and the second plating layer 7 are formed after the formation of the score line 3. Thus, after the edge E of the score line 3 is accurately formed by grooving, the degree to which the second plating layer is covered and the shape of the edge E changes is suppressed, and the accuracy of the edge E of the score line 3 is high. It will be a thing.

  The edge E of the score line may be a square edge or a rounded edge. The effective radius of the circle edge is preferably 0.05R to 03R, and particularly preferably 0.1R to 0.2R. As a result, the ball is less likely to be damaged and an appropriate backspin can be applied.

  Further, since the second plating layer 7 having a low hardness is provided on the outermost surface, the feel at impact is soft. Since the second plating layer 7 is formed up to the score line 3, the head base 5 is not exposed in the score line 3. Thereby, it is prevented that the head base body 5 rusts by rainwater or the agricultural chemicals sprayed on the green. Further, the color tone of the face surface 3 and the score line 3 is unified, and the aesthetic feeling is excellent.

  When the face surface 2 of the head base 5 is chamfered before the first plating layer 6 is formed, the surface accuracy of the face surface 2 is increased.

  Even when the second plating layer 7 is formed, the inside of the score line 3 is masked, and the second plating layer 7 is formed on a face surface other than the score line 3 (including the edge E of the score line 3). Good.

  In the above embodiment, the golf club head 1 is an iron type golf club head, but the face surface of the golf club head is made of a metal material, and at least a part of the other is made of carbon, a synthetic resin, a fiber reinforced synthetic resin, a ceramic, or the like. The present invention can also be applied to a composite golf club head configured.

  In the above embodiment, the second plating layer 7 may be composed of one layer or two or more layers, similarly to the first plating layer 6. However, in order to increase the dimensional accuracy of the edge E of the score line 3, a single layer is preferable.

  In the present embodiment, only the plating layers 6 and 7 are formed on the head base 5, but between the head base 5 and the first plating layer 6 and between the first plating layer 6 and the second plating layer 7. Further, another layer may be formed on at least one of the upper surfaces of the second plating layer 7. For example, the hard layer may be formed by carburizing or nitriding the surface of the head base 5. Further, a carbon layer (for example, a diamond-like carbon layer) is provided on at least one of the head base body 5 and the plating layer 6, the first plating layer 6 and the second plating layer 7, and the upper surface of the second plating layer 7. Etc. may be formed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Golf club head 2 Face surface 3 Score line 4 Hosel part 5 Head base body 6 1st plating layer 7 2nd plating layer

Claims (6)

In a golf club head having a score line on the face surface,
The first plating layer is formed on at least the face surface of the head base body before the score line is formed on the face surface, then the groove is processed to form the score line, and then the second plating layer is formed. Golf club head.   2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the second plating layer has a hardness lower than that of the first plating layer.   3. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the second plating layer is smaller than a thickness of the first plating layer.   4. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the face surface of the head base body before the first plating layer is formed is chamfered. 5.   5. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first plating layer is a chromium plating layer, and the second plating layer is a copper plating layer. 6. In a method of manufacturing a golf club head having a score line on a face surface,
Forming a first plating layer on at least the face surface of the head matrix before forming a score line on the face surface;
A groove forming step of forming a score line on the face surface on which the first plating layer is formed;
And a step of forming a second plating layer. A method of manufacturing a golf club head, comprising:

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